Putter with alignment system

ABSTRACT

A putter, comprising a head comprising an offset hosel; a heel; a toe; and a planar striking face; wherein the head comprises a first reference line is spaced from and parallel to said planar striking face; and a ladder comprised of a plurality of second reference lines, wherein the ladder is located substantially between the hosel and the heel and the second reference lines are perpendicular to the striking face.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to golf clubs and, moreparticularly, to a putter that has an alignment system for aiding andimproving a player's putting stroke.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] One of the most difficult strokes for a golfer to master and onethat is equally difficult to teach, is a good, squarely-aligned,repetitive putting stroke. Recreational players can lose valuablestrokes, that would otherwise significantly improve their scores, bytaking 3 and 4 putts per green. Even professional players are greatlyaffected by their ability (or lack thereof) to putt. Good or evenproficient putting may be the difference between a professionalattaining or retaining their tour privileges, making or missing a cut ina tournament, or even winning or losing a tournament.

[0003] One way in which golfers' can improve their putting stroke is touse an alignment system. A variety of patents have issued that describeputter alignment methods, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,165,691; 5,169,150;5,193,812; 5,207,429; 5,213,331; 5,330,188; and 5,388,832. Most of thesealignment methods involve reference lines, lighted guides, markedtraining mats, or some combination thereof.

[0004] While these various methods have their advantages anddisadvantages, their still remains a need for a putter and an alignmentmethod that, when coupled together, provide a golfer with a removable(to keep the putter within all United States Golf Association rules andregulations), yet substantially error-free way of monitoring andimproving their putting stroke. The present invention provides such aputter and alignment method, combining the benefits of a collimatedlight source, such as a laser, and physical markings on the putter head,to refine and improve a golfer's putting stroke.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is directed to a putter, comprising a headcomprising an offset hosel; a heel; a toe; and a planar striking face;wherein the head comprises a first reference line is spaced from andparallel to said planar striking face; and a ladder comprised of aplurality of second reference lines, wherein the ladder is locatedsubstantially between the hosel and the heel and the second referencelines are perpendicular to the striking face.

[0006] Preferably, the head further comprises a top surface and a backsurface. The first reference line and the ladder are typicallypositioned on the top surface and the ladder comprises less than about10 second reference lines, preferably less than about 5 second referencelines, and most preferably, between about 2 and about 5 second referencelines.

[0007] The first reference line is substantially located between theheel and the hosel. The planar striking face may also include an insert,which can include a vibration dampener, the insert and vibrationdampener being of different materials. Preferably, the insert is of amaterial that is different that the rest of the club head. Ideally, theinsert includes a copper alloy.

[0008] The present invention is also directed to a method of aligning aputter, comprising the steps of providing a putter as described in claim1 to a golfer; placing the putter in the golfer's neutral puttingposition; identifying the location of the hosel relative to theplurality of second reference lines; recording to memory the location ofthe hosel; and making a putting stroke, wherein the location of thehosel relative to the second reference lines remains constant throughoutthe entire swing.

[0009] The present invention is also directed to a putter, comprising ahollow grip comprising a first end having a first aperture, a second endcomprising a second aperture and a collimated light source; a hollowshaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and a head comprising anoffset hosel having a third aperture; a heel; a toe; and a planarstriking face; wherein the first end of the grip is attached to theproximal end of the shaft and the distal end of the shaft is connectedto the hosel, such that light emanating from the collimated light sourceis directed thought the second aperture.

[0010] The collimated light source can be a laser. Preferably, thesecond aperture has a diameter sufficient to receive the collimatedlight source, the light source having an outside diameter greater thanthe diameter of the second aperture. Ideally, the collimated lightsource is removably attached to the grip.

[0011] The present invention is also directed to a method of aligning aputter, comprising the steps of providing a putter comprising a headcomprising an offset hosel; a heel; a toe; and a planar striking facecomprising a reflecting surface; providing a focused, collimated lightsource; orienting the light source perpendicular to the reflectingsurface and directing the light source such that the reflective surfaceis illuminated with light; monitoring the reflected light on a referencedevice. The collimated light source may be a laser. The reflectingsurface may be a mirrored surface.

[0012] The present invention is further directed to a method of aligninga putter, comprising the steps of providing a putter comprising a headcomprising an offset hosel having a first aperture; a heel; a toe; and aplanar striking face, the striking face further comprising asemi-transmitting member; a hollow grip comprising a first end and asecond end comprising a collimated light source; and a hollow shafthaving a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the first end of thegrip is attached to the proximal end of the shaft and the distal end ofthe shaft is connected to the hosel, such that light emanating from thecollimated light source is directed thought the first aperture andstrikes the semi-transmitting, polarized member creating a first lightbeam co-linear to the shaft and second light beam directed substantiallyperpendicular to the striking face towards a reference device;monitoring the first light beam; and monitoring the second light beam onthe reference device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the putter and alignment system ofthe present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a top view of the putter and alignment system of thepresent invention;

[0015]FIG. 3 is an end view of the putter and alignment system of thepresent invention;

[0016]FIG. 3a is a side view of the grip end of the putter of thepresent invention;

[0017]FIG. 4 is side view of the putter and the reflecting surface; and

[0018]FIG. 5 is a side view of the putter and the beam splitterreflecting/pass-through.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] According to the present invention and referring to FIGS. 1 and2, a putter head 10, typically attached to a shaft 12 (only partiallyshown), comprises an offset hosel 14 for receiving the shaft, a heelportion 16 at the hosel end of the putter head, a toe portion 18opposite the heel portion 16, and a striking face 20. Extending betweenthe heel portion 16 and the toe portion 18 is the strike face 20, whichis the surface that contacts the golf ball (not shown) upon impactbetween the putter head 10 and the ball. The strike face 20 generallyincludes a “sweet spot,” or the center of gravity in the toe to heeldirection. The strike face 20 can be comprised of the same material asthe putter head or may include an insert 20 a, such as that disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,231,458 (“the '458 patent”), which is incorporatedherein, in its entirety, by express reference thereto. If an insert 20 ais present, it preferably comprises a soft material, such as anelastomeric material or a tellurium copper alloy. A vibration dampeningmeans, such as an elastomeric material that is deformable may also beused with the optional insert, as set forth in the '458 patent. In thepreferred embodiment, the elastomeric material is a silicone material,Stock No. GE281, available from General Electric Company in Waterford,N.Y.

[0020] The strike face 20 has a loft angle, which may be any angle, butis preferably less than about 10 degrees, more preferably, between about2 degrees and about 7 degrees, and most preferably, between about 3degrees and about 5 degrees. Preferably, the loft of the strike face 20is set so that the putter has 4 degrees of loft at impact for theindividual golfer using the putter.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, the putter head further contains analignment system for a golfer that comprises at least one firstreference line 22 and a plurality of second reference lines 24. The atleast one first reference 22 line is spaced apart from and parallel tothe striking face 20, which is substantially planar, and runs along thetop surface 26 of the putter head 10, extending from the heel 16 to alocation generally where the hosel 14 attaches to the putter head 10.More preferably, the first reference line 22 extends from the heel 16 tothe point where the hosel 14 abuts the back surface 28 of the frontstriking face 20. The plurality of second reference lines 24 (the“ladder”) are also located on the top surface 26 of the putter head 10,substantially between the hosel 14 and the heel 16. The plurality ofsecond reference lines 24 are oriented perpendicular to the strikingface and the first reference line 22, and each individual line of theladder 24 is spaced from each other such that the spacing provides agolfer with a visual reference points when observed from above.Preferably, the lines are less than about 0.75 inches apart, morepreferably, less than about 0.5 inches apart, and most preferably, lessthan about 0.25 inches apart.

[0022] The hosel 14 can form an angle relative to the top surface 26 ofthe putter head 10 to provide all or part of the lie angle. Generally,putter hosels extend from the putter perpendicularly and the shaftreceiving boss is angled to form the lie angle. However, in the presentinvention, the hosel itself can be angled. Preferably, the hosel 14forms and angle of about 10° to about 30° with the top surface 26 of theputter head 10 and, more preferably, forms and angle of about 15° toabout 25° with the top surface 26 of the putter head 10.

[0023] In a method of aligning the putter head, a golfer first holds theputter in the manner they typically would while addressing a golf ballprior to making a putting stroke. The hosel 14 of the putter head 10will obscure some, all, or none of the plurality of lines comprising theladder 24 depending on the lie angle that is natural to the golfer. Byidentifying what portion of the ladder 24 is obscured, and where theobscured portion is located relative to the heel portion 16, the golfercan determine whether the putter head 10 lie angle is oriented in aflat, upright, or neutral position. Additionally, the golf can determinethe effective loft of their putting stroke by observing the position ofthe back edge 28 of the hosel 14 relative to the first reference line22. If the back edge 28 of the hosel 14 is leading the first referenceline 22, the putter is oriented in a closed face orientation. If theback edge 28 of the hosel 14 is abutting the first reference line 22,the putter loft angle is in a neutral position. If the back edge 28 ofthe hosel 14 is obscuring or trailing the first reference line 22, theputter loft is oriented in an open position.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the method of alignment, the golfercan use the positions of the hosel 16 relative to both the firstreference line 22 and the ladder 24 to keep the putter head 10 orientedin the same location throughout the entire putting stroke (i.e., theidentical number of lines in the ladder 24 are obstructed from viewduring the entire putting stroke). Not only can the golfer ensureconsistent head orientation but they can use the alignment method as atraining aid to correct and adjust poor or incorrect putter orientation.

[0025] In another embodiment of the present invention, referring toFIGS. 3 and 3a, a putter 100 comprises a grip 110 attached to distal end112 a of a hollow shaft 112 and an offset hosel 114 for receiving theproximal end 112 b of the shaft. The hosel 114 generally contains ashaft boss 114 b for receiving the shaft. The hosel 114 furthercomprises a hosel aperture 114 a into which the hollow shaft 112 isreceived. The putter 100 further comprises a putter head 116 comprisinga heel portion 118, a toe portion 120 opposite the heel portion 118, anda striking face 122. The striking face 122 comprises a front face 124and a back face 126. The front surface of the strike face 124 is thesurface that contacts the golf ball (not shown) upon impact between theputter head 116 and the ball.

[0026] The grip 110 has a first and second aperture (126 a and 126 b),the first aperture 126 a for receiving the distal end 112 a of the shaft112, and the second aperture 126 b for receiving a collimated lightsource 128, such as that emitted from a laser pointer, typically a solidstate laser of minimal power (typically less than about 3 mW). Thesecond aperture 126 b should have a diameter sufficiently sized toreceive the collimated source 128 while firmly retaining it in theaperture. The apertures can be any diameter, however, preferreddiameters are less than about 0.75 inches, more preferably less thanabout 0.5 inches, and most preferably less than about 0.3 inches.

[0027] Further, the diameter of both the second aperture 126 b and thecollimated light source should be smaller than the internal diameter ofthe hollow shaft 112 such that the light source 128 will fit inside andco-axial with the hollow shaft 112. The collimated source 128 ispositioned substantially co-linear with the axis of the hollow shaft 112such that the light may emerge from the proximal end of the shaft 112 aand through the hosel aperture 114 a. The collimated light beam will bevisible on the ground in front of the striking face 122, allowing agolfer to follow the track of the putting stroke while actually makingthe stroke. There is, therefore, a method of training a golfer to followa proper putting stroke swing plane afforded by the above-describedlight-source-containing putter.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the present inventionincludes a method for aligning a putter face prior to making a putterstroke as a training aid to ensure squareness of the putter with respectto the putting line. A collimated light source, such as that emittedfrom a laser (i.e., a solid state laser, laser pointer), is orientedperpendicular to the striking face of a putter and is directed at theputter head. The putter head comprises a reflective surface 200 attachedto the striking face 202 for reflecting the laser beam 204 back towardsan indexed reference device, such as an opaque surface, such as a ruleror paper, a grid, such as graph paper, or a photo-detector, such as acharge-coupled device (“CCD”). The reflective surface can be anyreflective surface, but is preferably a mirror or highly-polished fusedsilica of glass. A spacer or shim may also be used to orient thereflecting surface in the proper angle for return of the collimatedlight source to the reference device.

[0029] As a golfer address a golf ball prior to making a putting stroke,the laser beam is directed back at the reference device. The location ofthe reflected beam of light on the reference device aids the golfer indetermining the orientation of the putter face prior to making theputting stroke. For example, if the putter face is held in an “open”orientation, the laser beam spot will be reflected to the right ofcenter on the reference device. Conversely, of the putter face is heldin a closed orientation, the laser beam spot will be reflected to theleft of center on the reference device. Of course, if the putter face issquare, the laser beam spot will be reflected directly to the center ofthe reference device.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 5, in an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, a beam splitter (or other partial light reflecting,refracting, or transmitting device) 300 is attached to the striking face302 of the putter. The beam emanating from the collimated light source304 located in the grip of the putter, such as that emitted from a laserpointer, is allowed to strike the beam splitter 300. The beam splitter300 allows part of the laser beam to pass directly through it such thatit still strikes the ground (as described above), allowing a golfer toalign and train their putting stroke plane. The remaining light energyof the laser beam, typically about 50%, is directed in a directionperpendicular to the striking face 302 for use in directional alignmentof the strike face 302 itself. The redirected part of the laser beamhits the reference device, allowing a golfer to determine theorientation of the striking face of the putter prior to initiating aputting stroke.

[0031] Suitable beam splitters include beam splitter cubes and rightangle prisms, such as Model Nos. 46216, 46219, 46222, 46225, and 46240(beam splitter cubes) and Model Nos. 46060, 46070, 46165, and 46166(right angle prisms), commercially available from Oriel Instruments ofStratford, Conn. Beam splitter cubes split a laser beam into twoorthogonal beams. These beam splitters do not displace the beam and aretypically optimized for a specific wavelength of laser light. Beamsplitter cubes are generally made from two borosilicate glass rightangled prisms cemented together at the hypotenuse. The hypotenuse of oneprism is coated with a beam splitter coating prior to cementing.Additionally, a high efficiency anti-reflection coating is applied tothe entrance and exit faces. Right angle prisms turn a laser beam 90°through total internal reflection off the hypotenuse. Reflectance isvery high, typically 99%, especially when an anti-reflection coating isused.

[0032] The reference device can be anything that gives the golfer“feedback” regarding their putting stroke and can include, withoutlimitation, any flat surface, a grid, graph paper, or anyphotosensitive-array detector, such as a photomultiplier tube, anavalanche photodiode, or a CCD. If the reference device is aphotosensitive-array, the signal generated by such may be transferred toan output device, such as a PC, monitor, or an oscilloscope so that thegolfer can visually “see” their alignment and/or store the data fromsuch for future use, perhaps for downloading to a personal dataassistant (i.e., a Palm Pilot®).

[0033] Another embodiment of the present invention combines thereference device above with a similar reference device in the floor (ora holding device, such as a mat) below the golfer. In combination withthe collimated light source and a beam splitter, a golfer may not onlygain valuable information about his alignment and putting swing path, hemay obtain both simultaneously. The visual and recorded data from such atraining session may be stored and/or correlated for analysis by thegolfer or a golf coach, as well as being retained for comparisonpurposes at a later training session.

[0034] As used herein, the term “about,” used in connection with one ormore numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to allsuch numbers, including all numbers in a range.

[0035] The invention described and claimed herein is not to be limitedin scope by the specific embodiments herein disclosed, since theseembodiments are intended as illustrations of several aspects of theinvention. Any equivalent embodiments are intended to be within thescope of this invention. Indeed, various modifications of the inventionin addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Suchmodifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A putter, comprising: a head comprising an offsethosel; a heel; a toe; and a planar striking face; wherein the headcomprises: a first reference line is spaced from and parallel to saidplanar striking face; and a ladder comprised of a plurality of secondreference lines, wherein the ladder is located substantially between thehosel and the heel and the second reference lines are perpendicular tothe striking face.
 2. The putter of claim 1, wherein the head furthercomprises a top surface and a back surface.
 3. The putter of claim 2,wherein the first reference line and the ladder are positioned on thetop surface.
 4. The putter of claim 1, wherein the ladder comprises lessthan about 10 second reference lines.
 5. The putter of claim 4, whereinthe ladder comprises less than about 5 second reference lines.
 6. Theputter of claim 5, wherein the ladder comprises between about 2 andabout 5 second reference lines.
 7. The putter of claim 1, wherein thefirst reference line is substantially located between the heel and thehosel.
 8. The putter of claim 1, wherein the planar striking facefurther comprises an insert.
 9. The putter of claim 8, wherein theinsert comprises a vibration dampener, the insert and vibration dampenerbeing of different materials.
 10. The putter of claim 8, wherein theinsert is of a material that is different that the rest of the clubhead.
 11. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the insert comprises acopper alloy.
 12. A method of aligning a putter, comprising the stepsof: a) providing a putter as described in claim 1 to a golfer; b)placing the putter in the golfer's neutral putting position; c)identifying the location of the hosel relative to the plurality ofsecond reference lines; d) recording to memory the location of thehosel; and e) making a putting stroke, wherein the location of the hoselrelative to the second reference lines remains constant throughout theentire swing.
 13. A putter, comprising: a) a hollow grip comprising afirst end having a first aperture, a second end comprising a secondaperture and a collimated light source; b) a hollow shaft having aproximal end and a distal end; and c) a head comprising: i) an offsethosel having a third aperture; ii) a heel; iii) a toe; and iv) a planarstriking face; wherein the first end of the grip is attached to theproximal end of the shaft and the distal end of the shaft is connectedto the hosel, such that light emanating from the collimated light sourceis directed thought the second aperture.
 14. The putter of claim 13,wherein the collimated light source is a laser.
 15. The putter of claim13, wherein the second aperture has a diameter sufficient to receive thecollimated light source, the light source having an outside diametergreater than the diameter of the second aperture.
 16. The putter ofclaim 13, wherein the collimated light source is removably attached tothe grip.
 17. A method of aligning a putter, comprising the steps of: a)providing a putter comprising: i) a head comprising an offset hosel; ii)a heel; iii) a toe; and iv) a planar striking face comprising areflecting surface; b) providing a focused, collimated light source; c)orienting the light source perpendicular to the reflecting surface anddirecting the light source such that the reflective surface isilluminated with light; d) monitoring the reflected light on a referencedevice.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the collimated light sourceis a laser.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the reflecting surfaceis a mirrored surface.
 20. A method of aligning a putter, comprising thesteps of: a) providing a putter comprising: i) a head comprising anoffset hosel having a first aperture; ii) a heel; iii) a toe; and iv) aplanar striking face, the striking face further comprising asemi-transmitting member; v) a hollow grip comprising a first end and asecond end comprising a collimated light source; and vi) a hollow shafthaving a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the first end of thegrip is attached to the proximal end of the shaft and the distal end ofthe shaft is connected to the hosel, such that light emanating from thecollimated light source is directed thought the first aperture andstrikes the semi-transmitting, polarized member creating a first lightbeam co-linear to the shaft and second light beam directed substantiallyperpendicular to the striking face towards a reference device; b)monitoring the first light beam; and c) monitoring the second light beamon the reference device.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein thesemi-transmitting member comprises a beam splitter.